Overview
Jonathan Mills has exclusively worked on behalf of end users during his 20-year career overseeing real estate operations. He enjoys creating and maintaining spaces that not only support an organization’s mission, goals, and operations but also enhance its unique culture. In addition, Mills brings his passion for environmental sustainability and universal accessibility to his work.
Mills oversees WestEd’s portfolio of offices throughout the United States. In collaboration with his team, site leaders, and organization leadership, he handles all associated responsibilities, from strategic facilities planning, site selection, contract negotiations, and space design and construction to maintenance and office services operations. Mills introduced universal design concepts that have promoted broader access to WestEd’s offices, such as nongendered restrooms and private spaces for nursing mothers. His contributions to WestEd’s offices have also resulted in more equitable space allocations and effective formal and informal collaboration spaces. He responded to the pivot to hybrid work through the development of an easy way to reserve highly functional workspaces at WestEd’s offices.
Before joining WestEd, Mills sought opportunities to contribute to the field of education. He was the first Director of Facilities and Operations at California Institute of Integral Studies, a private university in San Francisco. He worked in investor relations for a learning technology start-up, and he collaborated with UC Berkeley’s Center for Media and Independent Learning to help create UC Berkeley Extension’s first online educational offerings.
Education
- MA in east-west psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies
- BA in philosophy, Haverford College
Honors and Awards
Member of WestEd’s Leadership Council
Recent Media Appearances
Conference presentations:
- Mills, J. (2015). Coming Soon to Your Campus: Gender Neutral Bathrooms [Conference presentation]. APPA annual conference, Chicago, IL.
- Mills, J. (2014). Implementing a Space Management Process in a Small School [Conference presentation, along with representatives from Montana State, Texas A&M, and Butte Community College]. APPA annual conference, San Diego, CA.
- Mills, J. (2011). Mixed Gender Bathrooms: What Must Happen When the Difference You Invite Shows Up and Demands More? [Conference presentation]. Expanding the Circle Conference on LGBT issues in higher education.